To address a concern about students using nonstandard English, which approach is most appropriate?

To address a concern about students using nonstandard English, which approach is most appropriate?

• A. Provide extensive practice with written exercises that require choices between standard and nonstandard word forms
• B. Insist that the students use standard forms in all school oral communications
• C. Provide examples of experiences from which students can conclude that different usage styles are appropriate in different situations
• D. Encourage students to be more consistent in using standard forms in oral communications outside of school

Answer: (C)

Understanding that language varies by context and audience is the key idea. The best approach is to give students experiences that show how different situations call for different language styles, so they can see when standard forms are appropriate and when nonstandard forms are acceptable. This helps them think about purpose, setting, and who they’re speaking to, building flexible communication skills and respecting students’ home dialects. Real-world examples let students infer that casual conversations, classroom discussions, and formal settings each have their own appropriate register, and they learn to adjust accordingly. Rigidly insisting on standard forms in all school speech or pushing consistency outside of school misses the nuance of real-life communication and can undermine confidence or cultural validity.

Understanding that language varies by context and audience is the key idea. The best approach is to give students experiences that show how different situations call for different language styles, so they can see when standard forms are appropriate and when nonstandard forms are acceptable. This helps them think about purpose, setting, and who they’re speaking to, building flexible communication skills and respecting students’ home dialects. Real-world examples let students infer that casual conversations, classroom discussions, and formal settings each have their own appropriate register, and they learn to adjust accordingly. Rigidly insisting on standard forms in all school speech or pushing consistency outside of school misses the nuance of real-life communication and can undermine confidence or cultural validity.